Tacoma voters to decide on permanent tax measure for streets

In April, Tacoma voters will consider 'Streets Initiative II,' a proposed tax measure aimed at improving the city's infrastructure and quality of life. The City Council has unanimously approved this initiative, which seeks to raise the utility-earnings tax by 2% and property taxes by 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. This measure is expected to generate approximately $25 million in its first year, replacing the previous streets initiative that raised nearly $400 million since its 2015 approval. City officials commend the successes of the former initiative in enhancing residential streets but note that only 24% of residents are satisfied with arterial street conditions. The new initiative will prioritize improvements to these heavily trafficked roads and ensure ongoing maintenance of residential streets, particularly in underserved neighborhoods where many high-risk roads are located.

Mayor Victoria Woodards and Public Works Director Ramiro Chavez stress the initiative's critical role in enhancing community safety and accessibility, representing a commitment to improving overall livability in Tacoma.